This beautiful 5,543-square-foot home on the coast of Kavarna, Bulgaria has been designed to perfectly match the angle of the summer equinox sun.

Created by Ignatov Architects, the compact, energy-efficient design makes the home 90% more energy efficient than a similar home without upgrades, which also gives it Passive House status.

The home is built right into the hillside, allowing it to work with its natural surroundings. A green roof provides natural insulation and frees up lawn space, minimizing energy loss and maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.

The wall of glass on the front wall of the home is inverted, keeping sun from entering the home in the middle of summer. In the winter, the low angle of the sun hits the patio swimming pool and reflects into the house to provide natural lighting. A roof oculus allows a single ray of light to shine into the home, acting as an annual calendar as it shines in different spots according to the season.

The home also has a wastewater treatment unit, natural ventilation and recovery system, and rooftop solar panels. Additional heat is provided from an underground heat pump or solar hot water panels installed for the pool.

This week in Jetson Green Energy News, efforts are being made to reduce pollution and derive energy from renewable sources.

Architectural rendering of Google’s planned headquarters.

Google Reveals Plans for Massive Green Office Complex

In partnership with Seattle-based design firm NBBJ, Google has released an architectural rendering of plans for its next 1.1 million square-foot headquarters that features green roofs and ample opportunities for employees to enjoy outdoor activities.

Hayden Place, located in Culver City, California (a suburb of Los Angeles) was designed by Cuningham Group Architecture for REthink Development to serve as the international design firm’s new home office space.

Targeted for LEED Gold, the sustainable features of the 11,650 square-foot building, which was converted from an existing warehouse, include repurposed shipping containers, light sensors, efficient energy systems, natural lighting and fresh air “trickle” ventilation. Additional air filtration is provided by an indoor garden that features adaptive and native plants and is maintained by office employees.

This Conservatory House in Bulgaria by Ignatov Architects was designed to host small music events and house a large flower conservatory. It was built on the site of an old sand quarry for neighboring villages, which was later turned into an eroded waste dump.

This is the last installment in our series called Energy-Efficient Windows 101 made possible by Marvin Windows and Doors. Last time I discussed how Marvin windows contribute towards LEED certification, and today want to wrap it up with this showcase of an award-winning home in Leicester, North Carolina. Designed by Eric Gartner of New York-based SPG Architects, the energy-efficient home has a custom configuration of Marvin windows providing expansive southern and western views.

Located in Wuxi, China, the WFH House by Arcgency is made of three shipping containers combined to create this beautiful Nordic-style home. The sloping green roof sits atop an open, spacious interior, which is made of a single container on one side and a stacked set on the other. The style can be customized for various climates, layouts, and plots of land.